Surname Kohout - Meaning and Origin
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Kohout: What does the surname Kohout mean?
The last name Kohout is a German and Jewish surname. It is derived from the German word kohout, which means "rooster." The surname is thought to have originated with families who kept chickens and used the rooster as part of their coat of arms. The surname can be found throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
In German, the Kohout surname was more commonly spelled Kohut, as its German spelling is more indicative of its origin. The name could have also been variants of Kooht, Kohuth, Kohoutz, Kohaut, Koehl, and Koehn.
The Kohout surname can be found in many records worldwide. Records of the name as early as the 14th century have been found in Germany. It is found predominantly in the German states of Bavaria, Westphalia, and Prussia. In various other languages, the name was spelled Kohlhut, Kuelhut, or Kuehlhut.
During the 19th century, the Kohout surname spread to other parts of the world due to increased migration and immigration. People with the Kohout surname can now be found in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The Kohout surname is symbolic of a carefree nature, ambition, and perseverance. It represents being able to stand one's ground and prove oneself in a loud yet determined manner. Those with the Kohout surname can take pride in their heritage and draw on the strengths associated with the name.
Order DNA origin analysisKohout: Where does the name Kohout come from?
Today, the last name Kohout is most commonly found throughout the Czech Republic, especially in Moravia. Specifically, it is found in the Central Moravian Region of the country, including several towns such as Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou and Šumperk. Aside from this region, traces of the name can be found in other parts of the country. Similarly, Kohout is also hunting in Slovakia, particularly in the eastern and central parts of the country.
Outside of Central Europe, individuals bearing the last name Kohout have also been known to settle in various countries in North America. Those with Czech or Moravian ancestry have migrated to the United States, primarily settling in states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Some have also moved to Canada, particularly in Western provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.
The last name Kohout is the Czech word for “rooster”, and many believe the surname can be traced back to the roosters that owners or fighters kept and bred in Moravia. It is speculated that families bearing the name were more prominent in areas with a concentration of rooster owners, which is why the surname is mostly found in Central Europe today.
Variations of the surname Kohout
The surname Kohout (pronounced “Koh-hoot”) is originally of Czech and Slavic origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant is Kowal, which is derived from the Czech word “kohout”, meaning “rooster”. An alternate spelling is Kowalski, which is derived from the Polish version of the word. Other variants include Kowalka (from the Polish), Kowalczyk (from the Czech and Polish), and Kohoutek (from the Czech).
Kohout can also be found in several other derivatives. The Slovenian version is Kohut, with variants Kohutek and Kohutik. There are also derivatives in other Slavic languages, such as Kohan in Ukrainian, and Kohun in Slovak.
The surnames Kohutowicz and Kohutovsky can also be derived from the same root, however rather than meaning “rooster” they translate to “son of Kohut” and “descendant of Kohut” respectively.
In some cases, Kohout can also be translated to the English surname Cock. This is most likely due to the similarity between the Czech word “kohout” and the English word “cock”.
Finally, there are many other related surnames that may be derived from the same root, such as Kowlas and Kohila in Polish, Kholut in Ukrainian, Kchula in Belorussian, Khololev and Khololov in Russian, Kholosoft and Kholosov in Belarusian, Kohluk in Ukrainian, and Kohlukova in Russian.
Famous people with the name Kohout
- Miloš Kohout: A Czech Comedy Writer, Actor and film director
- Jan Kohout: Czech diplomat and politician
- Andrew Kohout: Professional volleyball player in the Czech Republic
- Ivo Kohout: A Czech classical composer
- Miroslav Kohout: Czech actor and film director
- Pavel Kohout: Czech novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and journalist
- George Kohout: Former professional ice hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks
- Martin Kohout: Czech modern pentathlete and Olympic Games athlete
- Jan Kohout Jr.: Czech tennis player
- Matous Kohout: Czech model